DIY Lansky????

[yuzuha]

I've noticed that the Lansky style sharpeners use stones shaped like the 1/2 x 1/4 stones that tool and die makers use.
http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/indextool.mvc?prodid=MS-IBSTONE.XX
http://www.deltasupplies.com/boride.htm
http://www.gesswein.com/catalog/index.cfm?cat=1&sub=19&catalog=2&CFID=413564&CFTOKEN=99369092
I'm wondering if anyone ever tried using them to make their own Lansky type sharpener (seems like you could make something a bit more stable than those wire guided holders out of wood or plastic, or even make a V stick sharpener out of them by gluing them to some sort of backing that would fit in some holes in a board) They come in so many different grits and grades that there must be some use for them in blade making or sharpening.

 

[Greg]

G'day,
Sure, making a DIY guided sharpener is quite easy. Before I bought a DMT diamond kit I made one that held the old small hones I had on hand.
I used 2 pieces aluminum extrusion about 1cm x 12cm and 4mm thick to make a couple of right angle pieces, glued the hones onto one side of a thin bit of plywood and glued a guide wire onto the other side. I drilled a couple of holes in one 'wing' of the angle to take a couple of wing nut/bolts for tightening on the blade and more holes on the upright angles for guiding the wire.
The whole job took me about an hour and a half and worked fine for years until the hones were trashed.
This DIY thingy taught me how sharp knives could be made if the angle of honing was kept consistent. I've been compulsive about sharp knives ever since.
Enjoy the addiction!
Greg